Skylight construction



Aug. 23, 1932. A. F. ABRONSKI SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26. 19294 Sheets-Sheet l WITNESS INVENTOR m AEXEYJEEII'TAIJI" unsKi A TTORNEYAug. 23, A F, ABRONSKI SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 2 i iii i W] TNESS: IN V EN TOR $1 AlaxanderEAbrnn 5K1 BY ATTORNEY Allg- 1932- A. F. ABRONSKI 1,872,868

SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 WITNESS:INVENTOR 49 EXBndErIAhr UngKi ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1932. A. F. ABRONSKI1,872,868

SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 wmv s.-mmvron I!) I C HexanderTAbrunsKi TTORNEY Patented Aug. 23, 1932 1 h EENg ann-w AuVMa...

ALEXANDER F, ABBONSKLDF' PHILADELPHIA, ,PENNSYLVANIA SKYLIGHTCONSTRUCTION Application filed July 26,

The present invention relates to skylight constructions.

The invention has among its objects to improve, facilitate andsimplifythe manufacture and assemblage of skylights,

Further objects are to provide :a skylight of improved type which maybe-efi'ectively and pi openly assembled in place by unskilled workmenand for which the parts may be cut to proper sizeand otherwise madeready for assemblage at the factory.

Still further objects of the invcntiomare to improve the construction ofskylights havin g overlapping panels or-panes ofgla'ss and to, at thesame time, render the same sturdy and thoroughly weather-proof.

A further object of the invention "isto improve a skylight constructionto not only-be water and weather-proof but to alsocarry 2o all water ofcondensation that may collect on the underside of theglass and anyseepage due to leaks should any occur.

A further object of the inventionis to so improve skylight glazing barsthat they may without added accessories, asa support for platformstructure used incident to repair of the skylight or for other purposes.

further object of the invention-istoimprove the weather-tight andwaterproof construction of the above character without the u e of putty,cement, or the like.

A. further object of the invention is tosimprove glazing bar structure,of a single unia Y construction without mechanical joints, in effect acontinuous metallic structure th .-.ghout the linear extent ofsame,.wh1ch be light of weight, sturdy of construction and. wherepractical, of standardized and interchangeable parts.

An object of the invention is to so improve a z kylight structure thatit will lend itself readily to manufacture by extrusion processes andwhich will be of rustproof and homogeneous construction.

An object of the invention is to provide a 1929. Serial No. 381,140.

glazing barconstruction which lends itself in an improvedmanner to usein the glazing ofilo'ng runs of skylight and'to the supporting of theglass panels overlapping one another.

A further object of the invention is to provide a skylight constructionwhich will be water and weather-proof and which will provideimprovedcompcnsation for relative expansion and contraction of parts.

The invention consists of a skylight constrnction including as featuresa supporting frame for the panels of roofing'm'aterial' as panels orpanes of glass, the supporting frame consisting of bars, such as areknown in the skylight art asglazing bars, suitably connected together attheir ends, and which preferably comprise, where practical, a singleunitary construction without mechanical joints, being in eii'ect acontinuousmetallic structure throughout its length.

These bars moreover are provided with suitable condensation or waterchannels formed in flanges located on either side of thebase on thelower edge of said bars, as well as suitable panel rests in thenature offlanges on either side of the'upper portion of said bars and providedwith suitable condensation channelsto collect and carry off water ofcondensation forming on the'underside of the panels.

These upper flanges are provided with other grooves, recesses orchannels which maybe filled with padding of any suitable character toserve as a cushion for the glass panelsto rest upon. The bars are alsopref- '3 erably constructed so that the main orcentral web of the barextends upward beyond the upper flanges to provide adequate foundationfor superstructure, as a holding-down construction or capping, and afirm and rigid base for carrying such weight as it may be necessary'tobe placed thereon.

Theinvention contemplates the use of such bars, all the parts of whichare integrally formed of one homogeneous piece of "metal so designed asto lend itself to manufacture by extrusion, together with which may beused bars having the web formed of relatively adjustable sections.

The invention contemplates further structures using only adjustable barsor only non-adjustable bars, as occasion may demand or renderadvantageous, together with other necessary and desirable parts.

Together with structure as above outlined, other features andaccessories may be employed which lend advantage to the construction ofthe skylight and make it possible to construct such skylights fromstandardized parts which may be cut to proper lengths and sizes andsimply assembled at the place of employment.

Among these features and accessories are sheathing and flashingaccessories and ridge bars in the nature of angles extending the lengthof the ridge of the roof and serving to connect with the ends of thevarious glazing beams. The angles may be used in connection with wedgemembers or other suitable Spreaders for varying the slope of theskylight runs to each other.

The eaves of the skylight may be provided with a housing and support forthe glazing bars including a sheathing for the curb on which theskylight rests so constructed as to provide for proper drainage andprotection against corrosion of the fastenings holding the same to thecurbing and against seepage of water through the apertures through whichthe fastenings project. This feature may take the form of a raisedportion in the base of the housing in which said apertures occur. Thishousing and support is in the nature of a glazing bar extendingtransversely of the other glazing bars.

In connection with the structure as outlined above, suitable capping orholding down members may be employed bridging the flanges of the glazingbars and having edges resting on the upper surfaces of the panels. Thesecapping members may be in the form of inverted channels provided withother inverted channels adjacent their side edges, the sidewalls ofwhich may contact with the lass panels and which, where desirable, maybe filled with a suitable cushioning material as felt, oakum, etc.

The invention contemplates means for holding the panels of glassproperly positioned on the glazing bars and this means may consist ofsuitable clips which bridge the flanges of the glazing bars providingwings on either side thereof and upturned flanges on one edge of saidwings.

Similarly, suitable means are employed, under certain circumstances, tosecure the glazing bars to supporting structure, which may take the formof clips having wings foldable over portions of the supporting structureand other wings foldable over flanges of the glazing bars; under othercircumstances, the glazing bar may be nailed, riveted, or screwed to thesupporting structure as conditions and convenience may dictate.

The panel supporting flanges may be provided with vertically extendingportions providing rests for the side edges of the panels and theserests may be channeled, or not, may be desired and the channels when provided may hold a padding, as a strip of cork. felt or other suitablematerial on which the panels rest.

lVhere more than one length of panel material is used with a given slopeof the skylight, the webs of the glazing bars may be made in adjustablesections so that the lower ends of one panel of giass may be suitablysupported in overlapping rclatiin to the next succeeding lower panel.The adjustment of these sections may be accomplished in nun'ierous ways,as by providing a slot and boit connection.

For further details of construction lending themselves to the above endsand for a better understanding of the invention as hereinbeforeoutlined, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

igure 1 is a schematic showing of a skylight made in accordance with myinvention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view showing the attachment of the skylightconstruction to the curb of a roof; also showing the relation of glazingbars to the bottom glazing bar and to the glass panels and likewiseshowing the capping connected to the glazing bar and covering the edgesof the panels sup ported by the glazing bar,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing the connection of the ridgecapping with the glazing bar cappings,

Figure 4 is a section longitudinally of a glazing bar and at one sidethereof showing the glazing bar as comprised of adjustable sections andillustrating the overlapping of one of the roofing panels to the other,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing in section on the line 5-5 ofFigure 4 the relation of the panels to each oi ier on this line andshowing the lower end support of one of the sections in place, the viewalso illustrating the construction whereby adjustment between thesections may be accomplished and showing one form of base channel inconnection with the lower section,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view showing one end in section of a variationin the form of a glazing bar shown in Figure 2; in this form the basemember is provided with lateral flanges outside of the channeled portionthereof and the panel supporting rests are shown as unchanneled,

Figure 7 is a variation of the construction shown in Figure 5illustrating the upper of the adjustable sections of the glazing bar asprovided with a central groove in which the web of the lower sectionrides, the sections being provided with adjustable connection one withthe other,

Figure 8 illustrates on an enlarged scale compared with Figure theconnection of the glazing bars with the curbing of the skylight,

Figure 9 is a detailed fragmentary view showing the manner in which thebottom glazing bar construction is cut away to provide for theprojection therethrough of the supporting flanges for the panels,

Figure 10 is a detailed plan view on an enlarged scale of a clipConstruction for bolding the lower ends of panels, said clipconstruction also being shown in Figures 4 and 5,

Figure 11 is a side elevation of this clip construction,

Figure 12 illustrates the connection of the glazing bars to the ridgebars and the relation of the ridge capping to the ridge bars and to theglazing bars,

Figures 13 and 14 show alternate methods of connecting the ridge bars soas to contract or expand the angle at the ridge of a two run skylight asmay be desired, and

Figures 15 and 16 show a further clip construction designed to be usedin connecting the glazing bars to supporting structure; Figure 15showing the clip in end elevation; Fi ure 16 showing the same in sideelevation.

eferring now to the drawings in detail by reference numerals, 20designates a skylight construction illustrative of the manner of usingthe various features of the invention, the same comprising a single run21 of skylight on one side of the ridge the other side comprising a pairof overlapping panels designated by the numerals 23 and 24.

Where the run of the skylight is a single continuous slope such as theslope 21, a construction of glazing bar such as shown in Figure 2,integrally formed of a single unitary construction, is quitesatisfactory.

This bar, designated by the letter A, comprises a base member 25provided with side ridges 26 extending longitudinally thereof andaffording channels on either side of the vertically extending web 27formed on the medial longitudinal line of the base member, This web isof suflicient width to extend both above and below the panels 28 whichin case of a skylight are of glass or other suitable transparent ortranslucent material.

The web is provided intermediate its longitudinal edges with laterallyextending supporting structure for the panels 28. This supportingstructure may be in the nature of laterally extending flanges 29 havingthereon panel rests 30 and 31 extending longitudinally of the upperfaces of the flanges and forming therebetween channels which may, ifdesired, be filled with a suitable cushioning, as felt, cork or thelike, in the manner as illustrated at 32 in Figure 5 of the drawings.

The portion of the web 27 which extends above the panels 29 affords asuitable foundationto which may be connected a capping or holding downconstruction 33 in the nature of an inverted channel extendinglongitudinally of the glazing bars, bridging the same and having thelateral edges thereof contacting with the panels 28.

These edges may be provided with supplemental channcls 34 extendinglongitudinally of the capping and having both of their edges 35 restingon the panels. These side channels may be filled with cushioningmaterial such as felt, oakum, lead, or other suitable material, andafford efiective battles against the blowing of water or dust into theinterior of the structure to which the skylight is attached and alsoaflording a cushion against outward pressure, vibrations and againstcontraction and expansion.

The members 33 may be of yieldable resilient material, as sheet metal,and pressure may be exerted thereon for clamping the edges 35 againstthe panels by any suitable means, by the nut and bolt connection shownat 36 and 37 in the drawings. These bolts are connected to the web ofthe glazing bar by suitable means, as by bolts 38, the connectiontherebetween being clearly illustrated in Figures 2, 6 and 8, the bolts37 being shown as formed with flat disc-like portions adapted to restagainst the webs to which they are attached.

In the construction of a skylight having overlapping runs, as shown at23 and 24 in Figure 1 of the drawings, a glazing bar having adjustablesections is desirable. Such glazing bar is illustrated as indicatedabove in Figures ii: and 5 of the drawings and in a slightly differentform in Figure 7.

In the construction as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base member 25 isformed integral with one portion of the web 2? and the supportingflanges 29 are formed integral with a portion of the web 27 which isadjustably connected with the portion 27 in any desired manner.

A suitable connection is by means of a bolt 39 extended throughapertures in the web member 27 and riding in slots 40 in the web member27 As clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, a single base sectionmay extend the entire length of the particular run of the skylight withwhich it is associated, and a plurality of upper sections may beconnected therewith according to the length of the panels to besupported and in order that the upper panels may overlap the nextsucceeding lower panels; the upper sections 27* may be adjusted toeffect this overlapping relationship. The webs of the underlying andoverlapping upper sections, under these circumstances, may be cut away,as shown at 41 in Figure 4 of the drawings, to provide a lap jointbetween the sections.

The lower edges of the panels may be held in place on the glazing barsby suitable means, as by clip constructions 42 such as are shown indetail in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings and are also illustrated inassemblage with the glazing bars in Figures 4 and 5. These clips may beprovided with bridging portions 43 for attaching to the glazing barsfrom which extend laterally, wings 44 having at their lower edgesflanges These clips may be held in place by bolts 8. which also serve,as indicated above, to connect the holding down members .33 to the webof the glazing bar.

A strip of padding may be extended transversely of the panels and beheld between the overlapping portions thereof, as shown at 46 in Figure4 of the drawings.

A further clip construction is provided which may be used in connectingthe glazing bars to supporting structure, as to channel irons, I beamsor the like. Such a clip 1% shown in Figures 15 to 16 of the drawingsand is in the nature of a web 47 having oppositely extending wings 48adapted to lap about the base member 25 for securing the clip memberthereto.

The clip member is also provided at right angles to the members 48 withan additional. wing 49 adapted to be lappet ibout a port on of an anglebar or I beam, shown in Figure 16 of the drawings, or may be suitablyattached to supporting structure without lapping, as being nailedthereto. Obviously, this clip member may be used with any of the formsof glazing bars herein described.

A glazing bar which may be used alternately with the bar shown in Figure2 is illustrated in Figure 6 o the drawings. This bar provided on theflanges 29 with panel rests 5Owl1ich are unchanneled and may be coveredwith a suitable padding as desired. Such padding is common on the mar{ct and constitutes no part of the present invention and is. therefore.not illustrated.

The base member 25 is also varied in form from that shown in Figure 2 inthat there are provided outside of the ridges 26 laterally extendingflan 51. These flanges may be provided with suitable apertures 5:2 atintervals therealong for the convenience of securing the base member toa supporting structure.

An alternative of the construction as shown in Figures 4 and 5 isillustrated in Figure 7 in which the upper section of the web is in thenature of a channeled member having aligned slots 54 therein forpurposes of adjustment. Suitable bolts and nuts 55 and 56 are providedto fix the member 53 in adjusted position.

The upper ends of the glazing bars on each side of the ridge of the roofare connected together by suitable ridge bars which may be in the natureof angles such as are illustrated in detail in Figures 12, 13 and 14 ofthe drawings. These angles extend longitudinally of the ridge of theskylight and are provided with flange members 57 to which the glazingbars are attached at intervals after which the ridge bars may beconnected together by bolts 58 extending through juxtaposed web membprs59 extending from the respective flanges 5 The ridge may be covered withsuitable capping and such a capping is shown at 60 bridging the webs 59and extending to a suitable distance to overlap the capping 33 for theglazing bars, whereupon the capping 60 is rebent and folded under, as at60 and then bent downwardly and under the glazing bar capping 33, as at60 and 60. The capping 60 may be secured in place by means of bolts 61secured to the glazing bars and which may also serve to bind the upperend of the glazing bar cappings in place. The cappings 33 and 60 may beformed by sheet metal so bent as to provide the desired shapes or may beformed of rolled, drawn, pressed or extruded metal.

The construction of the ridge bars, as

above described, may be taken advantage of i to facilitate shaping theridge of the skylight at varying angles by providing wedge members orother spreaders which may be secured between the webs 59 in one of thetwo positions illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. It will also appear thatwedges of varying angles or spreaders of varying sizes may be providedto afford conformity of the skylight to variations in roof slopes towhich they may be applied.

The lower ends of the glazing bars as hereinbefore described arecustomarily supported on a curb formed on the roof and extendingvertically upward therefrom. The lower ends of the bars under thesecircumstances are housed in suitable sheathing or flashing to completethe closure.

This arrangement may be availed of in my construction. However, undercertain circumstances I find it advantageous to support these ends ofthe glazing bars on what I term a bottom glazing bar such as is shown at65 in Figure 8 of the drawings. This bottom glazing bar is provided witha body portion 65 and a base or flange 69, which, together, house thelower ends of the glazing bars and are preferably of a unitaryconstruction. The body 65 is formed on its upper edge with a laterallyextending flange provided with a panel rest 66 which may be channeled asshown at 68 between ridges 67.

These channeled rests may be cut away at intervals, as shown in Figure 9of the drawings, to accommodate extensions of the panel supportingflanges 29 of the lower ends of to vary the altitude of sections of theweb relative to other sections. 7

8. In a skylight, a glazing bar comprising an upstanding web, a panelsupporting member extending. laterally from one side intermediate itslongitudinal edges, and means to vary the altitude of sections of theweb relative to other sections.

9. In a skylight, a glazing bar comprising an upstanding web, a panelsupporting member extending laterally from one side, and means to varythe altitude of sections'of the web and the panel supporting memberrelative to other sections.

10."In a skylight, a glazing bar comprising an upstanding web, a panelsupporting member extending laterally from one side intermediate itslongitudinal edges, and means to vi'ary the altitude of sections of theweb and the panel supporting member relative to other sections.

11-. In a skylight, a glazing bar comprising an upstanding web, a panelsupporting member extending laterally from one side, a panel rest formedon said supporting member with a drainway interlying the panel rest andWeb, a gutter member extending laterally from the web below and widerthan the panel supporting member having upturned margins defining agutter, a capping strip fitted tobear upon the edge ofithe web andhaving'sides adapted to bear upon underlying panels, and means to varythe altitude'of sections ofthe web relative to other sections.

12. I In a skylight, a glazing bar comprising.

an upstanding web, a panel supporting member extendinglaterally from oneside,.a'pa'n'el rest formed onsaid supporting member comprising spacedsubstantially parallel packing retaining walls with a drainway interlyingthepanel rest and web, a gutter member extending laterally fromtheweb below and wider. than the panel supporting member having upturnedmargins defining ;a gutter,

a capping strip fitted to bear upon the edge.

of the web and having sides adapted to bear upon underlying panels, andmeans to vary the altitude of sections of the web relative.

to other sections. 7

13. In a skylight construction a homogeneous" glazing bar comprising avertical Web. having its upper marginal area reduced in thickness,a'base at the loweredge of and perpendicular'to the web, apanel restintermediate the upper and lower'edges of they bar and; perpendicularthereto, and a packing retalner' comprising spaced substantiallyparallel packing engaging walls carried "by said panel rest.-

'14-. Ina-skylight construction a homogeneous -glazing bar; comprising avertical web with an upper section of less. thickness, a base at thelower. edge of and perpendicular tothe web,.-a panel rest intermediatethe upper and lower edges of the bar'and; per-'

